So you really like the SSB-5 then? What kind of range are you getting out of it? Would you says it rugged? I'm concerned about scratching the heck out of my hard top if I catch it on things wheeling. Guess I could put a rubber bumper on it.

 

A couple things......

you said...."With the standard antenna I get a bit more distance than a good CB setup when trying to go directly to another station."

On VHF coms this is called "simplex". Duplex is between you/repeater/and other station.

You said...."In an emergency I guarantee I could have made contact with 100s of people. If I can hear them there's a good chance they can hear me.

In an emergency, yes.....because that's pretty much what HAM radio is based around. Everything STOPS when somebody hears a "mayday".

You said a "chance".....yes, but, don't (I beg of you...lol) make the mistake of thinking if you can hear them, they can hear you. This statement has caused many, MANY an argument over the years....lol. Remember, many, if not most, of the stations you are hearing are running from a shack at their qth. This means they are probably running at least a simple dipole antenna, even at that, it is heads and shoulders above a mobile antenna. Most tho will have a tower and more than a dipole for an antenna which can, and does mean much, MUCH more gain. And on top of that they could be running over a killowatt of power. Those that are running big yagi antennas with 4-6 elements make their signals act like a lazer beam. Meaning where you point it it hears and plays INCREDIBLY good, but at the same time, they also have great side to side rejection. So add that all together, and if you're off the side of his antenna, how do you think a hundred watts through a little mobile antenna is gonna stack up? Now I'm not saying that you won't make plenty of contacts, and as the cycle picks up you will.....LOTS of them. But nothing, NOTHING compares to a big antenna 100 feet in the air with a thousand watts behind it. The only way you can even get close to safely making that statement in a mobile..."if I can hear em', I can work em" would be if you are on top of a mountain, and have at least a 600 watt solid state mobile amp nicely tucked under your seat...!!!

Hopefully someday, if you haven't already, you'll run into a HAM that you can barely hear. You'll make contact, you'll tell him where you are and he'll say "hold on, let me swing the beam". You'll sit there and be amazed as that puny S1 or 2 signal you were hearing, will grow to say 20dbs over S9 as he pinpoints you....!!! You won't believe it's the same guy. THAT is what a good HAM station can do.

Good luck with your setup..you're off to a GREAT start for sure....

73....
Dave / wl7cmg

 

First, Does anybody have a longest UHF/VHF story, mobile and barefoot? Remember I've only been doing this for 3 months so my experience is kinda lacking.

I do like the SSB-5. I haven't tried to see how far it would go but it did work very well on a recent trail run where there was a HAM on a different part of the trail some 7 miles back which was over, under and around hills, valleys, trees etc... As for repeaters I regularly hit repeaters 50 odd miles from me but they are at 5-8k feet so it's kinda hard to miss them. My farthest simplex contact is roughly 10 miles. I've heard others on 6.52 that are at least 20 miles away but didn't try and make contact. Maybe i'll try that this week on my way home from work. Just make a few calls for mobiles and see how far I can get in the Suburbs.

Looking at Raw APRS data I've seen packets reach 80miles with the SSB-5 and my longest over the weekend with the Super gainer was 102 miles but packet is a different animal than a phone QSO.. See Dave I know the lingo

I wouldn't say it's rugged but it is a single piece instead of having smaller sections screwed to each other. It seems more rugged than the Super Gainer.

My guess is you are going to find some nasty tree limbs that scratch worse than the antenna will I haven't seen an antenna that's as flexible as my CB antenna but then again I haven't spent much time looking.

dave

 

FYI - I just passed my Technician exam. I am going to start out with an Icom 2 meter handheld. I suspect that when I figure out how to use it, I will upgrade to a mobile unit with more capability.

I appreciate your advice.

 

Congrats. If I would have seen this sooner I would have lent you oneof my study manuals. You should have you call in a week or less. If you haven't bought a radio yet check out the yaesu ft-60r it is a good priced dual band.

Maybe we can chat on the band sometime.

 

Go to the deli and buy some. Boarshead is $8.95 per lb. lol I'm so stupid.

 

Im not a HAM but I do like to play with their toys. I been in radio for years but mainly in scanners and shortwave receiving. On your VX7R I would keep it. Its a nice little survival radio, waterproof and plenty of features, yes only 5watts max on some bands but can be all you need in a pinch when your mobile is dead or have to leave the vehicle.

I have the VX7 and the new VX8 I think they are awsome units im sure not perfect but if you program whats needed for everyday as well as emergency use its a handy unit to have if no cell access. I will be keeping the VX7 in my Jeep for emergency use, the VX8 will be my new everyday toy.

I have not decided on a mobile yet for the Jeep I think CB will be useless for me, but I do see the need due to its a more common and accessible to more people. I like to scan so a nice triple band with good features and at least 50Wattts is whats on my mind but have not looked yet.

Have fun!

 

So let me get this straight......You've been into "radio" for years, you like to "play" with HAM radio "toys", you want to to have access to "HAM RADIO FREQUENCIES" incase you have an emergency, and now you want not just a receiver, but a radio that TRANSMITS at least 50 watts, BUT....you don't want to take the time to pass an easy test and legally become a HAM op. What's up with that???

........ Seems like a waste to me.....

Oh well.....to each their own I guess.

 

HA no I never said I would not be a HAM. I do plan to get my Lic. I used radios for many purposes not being on HAM bands.

 

.......well ya might have said that in the first place Hope so, I'm sure you'll enjoy it seeing that you've been into radio for as long as you say. What's keepin ya? Better late than never I guess.
Good Luck....